CHICAGO – Chris Weidman didn’t exactly make the most of his FOX opportunity.

Sure, the top prospect picked a network-television win on just 11-days’ notice over Demian Maia, but the bout played out as a bit of a sloppy striking affair in what many hoped would prove a rousing ground battle.

Either way, the two served as the first main-card bout of Saturday’s UFC on FOX 2 event at Chicago’s United Center.

The two started out looking to bang. Maia’s ever-improving striking was initially relatively effective, and he snuck in a few knees and straight lefts. Still, Weidman looked comfortable in the pocket and returned fire just as frequently. Weidman did receive a few early warning for striking with an open hand, but it didn’t seem to cause an issue.

Weidman briefly held control on the floor in a momentary grappling exchange, but it was really his forward movement that seemed to earn him the first frame.

Weidman scored an early takedown in the second, but he could not maintain side control, and Maia escaped to the feet. However, it was Weidman who really offered more in the striking department. The crowd grew restless as the two boxed with single shots, and it became apparent that Maia really wasn’t interested in grappling despite his subission prowess.

Despite taking the fight on short notice, Weidman kept a respectable pace, even if it wasn’t as explosive as past outings. He did eat a few strong knees in the closing minute, but a late takedown seemed to secure another round for the upstart.

In the third, Weidman certainly slowed, but Maia appeared equally winded. Maia finally turned to his grappling in spurts, but Weidman was capable in his takedown defense. That left both grappling specialists with no choice but to strike, and the result wasn’t exactly K-1 level.

Credit both fighters for at least swinging until the final bell, but the effort was soundly booed at the close.

Weidman appeared to have done enough to take an easy win, and he walked away with a unanimous decision.

Weidman (8-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) remains undefeated in his MMA career and has picked up four octagon wins in just 10 months.

“I took this fight on very short notice,” Weidman said. “My friends and family said I was crazy, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. To be able to fight a top contender like Maia on FOX was incredible.

“Walking out of the octagon after a fight like that with a ‘W’ was exactly what I wanted to accomplish. I showed everyone and myself what I am capable of. This win puts me pretty far up the middleweight ladder and right in the mix with the rest of the top fighters.”

Maia (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) falls to just 1-2 in his past three outings.

“I went in there and traded with him to give the fans a good show,” Maia said. “From a strategy standpoint, I should have taken him down more and used my Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

“This was a tough fight between two very tough guys. I tried my best to win this fight, but I will be back in the gym soon to continue improving myself.”

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